There is no rational reason in the world for the candidate in a regional election to run the gauntlet of national media which can only be a trap and unflattering at best. If she were running for a national position it would be ducking, although the timing is still not necessarily to be set by the media outlets but by the smarter candidate.
Sorry to puncture your balloon but that's the way a smart and ethical campaign is run.
The US Senate has been known to deal in national issues.